Page 409 of Summer Heat
Thankfully, he read her closed look and left without another word.
Unable to help herself, as soon as she heard his car leave, she went straight to the kitchen pantry. And nearly cried when she saw the mesh bag filled with twenty or so avocados.
God, this was going to be the most depressing date in history if she didn’t get a grip.
With the most calming breath she could muster, she went over to her laptop and research notes, making sure only to take out what she needed. She didn’t want to accidentally leave something here that she’d have to come back for.
She didn’t want to be that girl.
She worked nonstop for an hour...and wrote exactly one sentence. All the words on the page were gibberish, her mind a mess. By lunch, she gave up completely.
Wandering upstairs in search of a distraction, the sight of her new dress was the only thing that effectively held her attention. It was so pretty. She didn’t have anything else like it in her closet.
With no rhyme or reason whatsoever, Abby stripped down then and slipped the dress on. God, it was stunning. Elegant. Staring at her reflection in the full-length mirror, she hardly recognized the woman looking back at her.
The woman that Connor would be leaving come morning without a goodbye.
Had it not been for the loud chime of the doorbell echoing throughout the house, there’s no way Abby would have been able to hold in the tears another second.
She quickly ran to the front door with the cocktail dress still on, store tag swishing.
“Hi, can I help you?” she asked the pretty woman standing impatiently out on the porch.
The woman just rolled her eyes and made to move past her to get into the house.
Abby blocked her way and attempted to remain civil. “Look lady, I’m not sure what you’re selling, but we’re not interested in any in-home demonstrations today.” Okay, so maybe not civil.
The stacked redhead scoffed and looked down her obviously manufactured nose at her. “Please, don’t act like you live here. I just need to get my purse. I left it here the other night when Connor and I…well, you know.”
Liar! Abby struggled to keep a lid on her temper. She detested women like this. “I’ll make sure to tell Connor you stopped by. He’ll find a way to get it back to you if it is here.” Yes, and hold your breath while you’re waiting.
“So high and mighty,” snarled the woman, crossing her arms over her artificially inflated fun bags. “Don’t think I don’t know all about you. You’re the little teacher Connor is banging this month. The one he’s finishing up with.”
No. There was no way Connor could’ve talked about her to this horrible woman.
The woman laughed at her stricken expression. “Oh, don’t worry. He’ll finish out the month. You know him, always one to fulfill his obligations. Especially his ‘needy projects.’” She perched one perfectly French-manicured hand on her hip. “And when he’s done with you, he’ll come back to me.”
“You’re dreaming.” Connor would never break his rule in that way. Especially not for a woman like this.
“No, you’re the one dreaming if you think Connor’s going to make your little Cinderella fantasies come true. If you don’t believe me, ask him about the marriage arrangement his father is ironing out with my father as we speak.” She ran a condescending gaze up and down Abby’s frame. “Connor needs a trophy wife. And clearly, you’re the furthest thing from a prize for a man like him.”
Tossing her hair over her shoulder, she stalked off to her Porsche. “In a way, I’m actually glad he’s slumming it for his last fling. It’ll make him that much more appreciative when he’s finally with me. So thanks for that.”
Abby stood there, frozen in place. Unable to get her feet to move. Once in her car, the woman slid the driver’s side window down and yelled out, “By the way, nice dress. Though it looked way better on me before I donated it to the thrift store…probably because it actually fit me.”
With that, she drove off the property and Abby had to grip the doorframe for support. She felt like vomiting. Never had anyone been so intentionally cruel to her before. The awful woman’s words clung to her like a web of venom, numbed her, made breathing next to impossible.
“Abby? Abby, what’s wrong!”
A dozen beautiful red roses scattered across the doorstep at her feet.
Blinking slowly, Abby realized Connor was standing there holding her up, helping her back in the house.
How long had she been standing out there?
* * * * *
“ABBY, HONEY? Talk to me. What happened?” Connor was officially freaking the hell out. He’d come home for lunch to surprise Abby with flowers when he saw her white as a ghost
